In
Memory of Martin Luther King Jr: I Have a Dream for America and Arabia

By
Hassan El-Najjar

Al-Jazeerah,
January 16, 2005

Today,
the United States is observing a national holiday in memory of the civil
rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. I am here publishing my dreams for
America and Arabia, following his example in his famous speech, "I have
a dream." *

It was striking to observe that military, political, and media
leaders in the United States and other coalition countries boasting
that the 1991 Gulf War cost them few casualties. They ignored the fact that
hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were killed during the war and
hundreds of thousands more as a result of the embargo, about half a
million Palestinians were forced out of Kuwait, and about one million
Yemenis were forced to leave Saudi Arabia. These Arab victims of the
war are also important. Their lost lives, lost jobs, and their
suffering have also affected their loved-ones forever. A new thinking
needs to emerge. Leaders should not be allowed to launch wars without
consulting with representatives of the people. When wars are launched,
leaders who launch them should be held responsible for the social
consequences, particularly civilian losses.

Because the circumstances that led to
the 1991 Gulf War still exist (in January 2001) in America and Arabia, the author wishes to
present his dreams for a better future for America and Arabia,
following the example of Martin Luther King Jr.

For
America:

·I dream that, one day, the influence of war hawks on American
foreign policy is removed, so that the embargo on Iraq can be lifted,
and the Palestinian state can be established without further suffering
among Palestinians and Iraqis.

·I dream that, one day, the American foreign policy be guided by
fairness and by spreading freedom and democracy, not siding with
aggressors, dictators, and absolute monarchs.

·I dream that, one day, America will lead the world by example,
not by the power of its weapons.

·I dream that, one
day, the influence of pro-Israel “experts” and bureaucrats in
various government departments and agencies be checked by appointing
an equal number of Arab-Americans and Muslim-Americans as their
counterparts.

·I dream that, one
day, the influence of the military-industrial complex on American
foreign policy be reduced so that more funds can be directed to raise
the standard of living of the poor in America.

·I dream that, one
day, American politicians running for office will be able to debate
issues using free and equal time and space in the media without having to worry
about how to finance their campaigns.

·Finally, I dream
that, one day, America will have a ruling elite whose members value
the life of all people equally, whether they are from the northern
hemisphere or the southern hemisphere, whether they are rich or poor.

For
Arabia:

·I
dream that, one day, Arabs can travel anywhere within their homeland
without visas and can stay in any Arab state permanently if they wish.

·I
dream that, one day, border posts between Arab states be dismantled or
sold to entrepreneurs who would convert them into restaurants,
resorts, or museums.

·I
dream that, one day, there will be one Arab citizenship so that there
will be no more discrimination among Arabs.

·I
dream that, one day, all Arabs will enjoy the right to change their
governments through the ballot box, not by military coups or civil
wars.

·I
dream that, one day, all Arab presidents, kings, and leaders become
symbols of their states, allowing the people to elect their own
governments through fair and free elections.

·I
dream that, one day, inter-Arab rivalries and conflicts are replaced
with unification of the entire Arab homeland in one political and
economic entity, like the United States or the European Union.

·Finally,
I dream that, one day, Kuwaiti war criminals are tried, so that the
souls of their Palestinian and other Arab victims rest in peace.

*
This piece was first first published as a wish at the end of my book,
"The Gulf War: Overreaction & Excessiveness," which can be
found at www.gulfwar1991.com
.